December 3, 2023

Reviews of David Limp’s retirement have been significantly exaggerated. The previous SVP of Units and Companies introduced final week at Amazon’s 2023 Units Occasion that he can be stepping down from the function he had held for greater than a decade. By Monday, nonetheless, Limp had reportedly been tapped by Jeff Bezos to take over for present Blue Origin CEO, Bob Smith, who’s retiring at the beginning of December.

MSNBC stories that Smith will stick round till January 2, 2024 to help with the transition. Bezos despatched the next announcement to the Blue Origin’s workforce on Monday:

I’m excited to share that Dave Limp will be a part of Blue beginning December 4th as CEO, changing Bob, who has elected to step apart on January 2. The overlap is purposeful to make sure a easy transition.

Earlier than I present some background on Dave, I’d wish to take the time to acknowledge Bob and the numerous development and transformation we’ve skilled throughout his tenure. Underneath Bob’s management, Blue has grown to a number of billion {dollars} in gross sales orders, with a considerable backlog for our automobiles and engines. Our workforce has elevated from 850 folks when Bob joined to greater than 10,000 at present. We’ve expanded from one workplace in Kent to constructing a launch pad at LC-36 and 5 million sq. ft of services throughout seven states.

Our mission has grown too – we’ve flown 31 folks above the Kármán Line, nearly 5 % of all of the individuals who have been to house. Flight-qualified BE-4 engines are prepared to spice up Vulcan into orbit. New Glenn is nearing launch subsequent yr, and, with our latest NASA contract, we’ll land Individuals again on the Moon, this time to remain. We now have additionally engaged and impressed tens of millions of kids and educators by way of our Membership for the Future efforts. We’ve made super progress in constructing a street to house for the advantage of Earth, thanks to every of you and Bob’s management.

I’ve labored intently with Dave for a few years. He’s the precise chief on the proper time for Blue. Dave joins us after nearly 14 years at Amazon, the place he most lately served as senior vice chairman of Amazon Units and Companies, main Kuiper, Kindle, Alexa, Zoox, and plenty of different companies. Earlier than Amazon, Dave had roles at different high-tech firms, together with Palm and Apple. Dave is a confirmed innovator with a customer-first mindset and intensive expertise main and scaling massive, complicated organizations. Dave has an impressive sense of urgency, brings power to every part, and helps groups transfer very quick.

Please be a part of me in welcoming Dave and thanking Bob. By means of this transition, I do know we’ll stay targeted on our buyer commitments, manufacturing schedules, and executing with velocity and operational excellence. I look ahead to the various thrilling and historic milestones forward of us!

MSNBC obtained Limp’s welcome as effectively:

It’s been about six years since I joined Blue Origin. Throughout that point, our workforce, services, and gross sales orders have grown dramatically, and we’ve made vital contributions to the historical past of spaceflight.

With delight and satisfaction in all that we’ve achieved, I’m asserting that efficient December 4, I will probably be stepping apart as Chief Government Officer of Blue Origin. I’ll stay with Blue till January 2 to make sure a easy transition with the brand new CEO.

It has been my privilege to be a part of this nice workforce, and I’m assured that Blue Origin’s biggest achievements are nonetheless forward of us. We’ve quickly scaled this firm from its prototyping and analysis roots to a big, distinguished house enterprise. We now have the precise technique. a supremely gifted workforce, a sturdy buyer base, and a number of the most technically formidable and thrilling initiatives in your entire trade. We even have a workforce that cares deeply about its mission, legacy, and the way we contribute to the subsequent technology and produce everybody right into a brighter future.

Jeff and I’ve been discussing my plan for months, and Jeff will announce Blue’s new CEO in a separate be aware shortly. I’m very excited in regards to the operational excellence and tradition of innovation this new chief will deliver to Blue. constructing on the muse we’ve created over the previous few years.

I’m dedicated to making sure this transition is flawless, and everybody ought to know that Unwell all the time be on Staff Blue.

Amazon has not formally named its successor for Limp, although Microsoft’s product chief, Panos Panay — who additionally simply so occurred to go away the function he held for 20 years final week — has been rumored as a number one selection for that place.

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